The treatments: superovulation drugs

Depending on your age and the outcome of your results, your doctor may refer you to a specialist. This is when you'll need to decide whether to have private or NHS treatment.

Some NHS hospitals have good success rates, so don't base your decision (or break the bank) on the belief that going privately means a more successful outcome.

The HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) site, www.hfea.gov.uk, details every fertility unit in the UK offering assisted conception (NHS and private).

In order of invasiveness, these include:

Superovulation drugs

Suitable for: Women with ovulation problems; 'unexplained' infertility.
What happens? Clomid (taken as a pill) or Gonal-f, Menogon and Menopur administered by injection) will be prescribed to force the ovaries to produce more eggs than usual.
Side effects: Hot flushes, mood swings, nausea and Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), a rare but potentially fatal condition.
Private cost: Clomid costs less than £10 for a prescription; the injectable drugs are around £200 per cycle.